‘Don't care if I am trolled'—BJP leader stands with Diljit Dosanjh as FWICE demands his ouster

The Print

a day ago

Ever since the film's trailer dropped on 22 June, Dosanjh has faced relentless criticism for acting alongside Hania. The trailer has since been removed from YouTube in India, and both the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) have spoken out against him, calling for a boycott of the film. FWICE went a step further, writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanding that Dosanjh's citizenship be revoked.
'.@diljitdosanjh is not just a celebrated artist—he's a national asset and a global ambassador of Indian culture. FWICE's call to revoke his Indian citizenship over an inadvertent and pre-incident film shoot is not only unfair but shockingly disproportionate,' the senior BJP leader wrote on X.
New Delhi: Amid backlash against Diljit Dosanjh's upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3 , which features Pakistani actor Hania Aamir, BJP national spokesperson RP Singh has come out in support of the singer-actor. Singh criticised the calls to suspend Dosanjh's Indian citizenship.
.@diljitdosanjh is not just a celebrated artist—he's a national asset and a global ambassador of Indian culture. FWICE's call to revoke his Indian citizenship over an inadvertent and pre-incident film shoot is not only unfair but shockingly disproportionate.
The film featuring a…
— RP Singh National Spokesperson BJP (@rpsinghkhalsa) June 27, 2025
'No individual who publicly aligns with voices that glorify terrorism and insult India's sovereignty should be permitted to carry the credentials of Indian nationality,' FWICE stated.
Singh, however, contends that this is a mere 'publicity stunt' by FWICE.
'Who has given the right to some organisation to ask for his citizenship [to be revoked]? Boycott his film, do not show [it] on any OTT [platform], and if he speaks [anything] anti-India, do criticise him. But the citizenship bit is taking it too far,' Singh told ThePrint.
'Do not care if I am trolled'
Singh's post has attracted strong reactions online, but the BJP leader is unbothered.
'I don't need a certificate of nationalism or patriotism from anyone. The way Dosanjh presents himself, he is a humble soul, and he represents India wherever he goes. As long as he wears a turban, he is Indian, and we must remember that,' Singh said.
In his X post, Singh also questioned whether there would be similar outrage over Indian cricketers playing against Pakistan in Dubai a month before the Pahalgam terror attack, or against TV anchors who host Pakistani panellists on debate shows.
'This is ridiculous. And I do not care if I am trolled. My views are clear,' he added.
Dosanjh recently completed a successful concert tour with Dil-Illuminati and made international headlines with his Met Gala debut in May this year. He paid tribute to his Punjabi roots with an ensemble that nodded to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, the erstwhile ruler of the princely state of Patiala.
Meanwhile, FWICE remains firm in its stance.
'We do not want a citizen like him. He thinks he is God. Sardaar Ji 1 and 2 didn't do well. In this film, [Hania] Aamir has been cast so that everyone talks about it. Since he doesn't want to replace her, we will make sure he is replaced, not just from Border 2 and other films, but [from] our country too,' FWICE president BN Tiwari told ThePrint.
FWICE's warning to Dosanjh
Dosanjh has yet to issue an official statement addressing the widespread criticism. But in an interview with BBC Asia, he explained the decision to go ahead with the film's release.
'When the film was being made, the situation was OK. After that, there's been a lot of things…that are not in our hands,' said Dosanjh.
Sardaar Ji 3 will not be released in India while it was released overseas, including in Pakistan, on 27 June. Early reports say the film's initial screenings in the neighbouring country have been 'houseful'.
Meanwhile, FWICE has written a letter to Bhushan Kumar of T-Series, which is backing Border 2. The letter called the decision to retain Dosanjh in the cast a 'blatant violation' of its directive to boycott him.
'By choosing to collaborate with an artist who has so brazenly ignored the ongoing tensions and national sentiment, your production has directly undermined the stand taken by the Indian film industry in solidarity with the nation,' read the open letter, dated 24 June.
Border 2 is the sequel to JP Dutta's cult classic war film Border (1997), set during the India-Pakistan war of 1971. Dosanjh plays a key role in the film.
'We have written to the National Defence Academy and [Defence Minister] Rajnath Singh about not giving permission to Border 2 for shooting. Dosanjh is challenging the entire country. It is a matter of national security,' said Tiwari.
FWICE has not yet received a response from either the government or the makers of Border 2.
The film workers' union also issued a letter to Dosanjh on 26 June. 'As an Indian, your first responsibility is towards your country. You have failed in that regard, and your professional choices have made it abundantly clear that the nation's interest is not your priority,' the letter states.
It goes on to inform Dosanjh of the punitive measures being initiated. 'FWICE hereby issues a Non-Cooperation Directive against you with immediate effect. All associations affiliated with FWICE and their members are instructed not to cooperate with you on any current or future projects until such time as you publicly disassociate from the said collaboration and issue an unconditional apology to the Indian film fraternity and the citizens of India,' it further warns.
(Edited by Prashant)